Warren Buffett, 92, Names Son as Successor and Plans to Donate Vast Wealth
Legendary investor Warren Buffett, at 92, has named his son Howard Buffett as the next leader of Berkshire Hathaway, a company with a portfolio worth an estimated Rs 82 lakh crore. After years of contemplation, Buffett finalized Howard as the heir to ensure continuity of his business principles.
In a separate announcement, the 94-year-old CEO has detailed his wealth distribution plan, pledging most of his fortune to a new charitable trust. This trust will be managed by his three children—Susie, Howard, and Peter—who will collectively decide how to allocate the funds. The move reflects Buffett’s commitment to philanthropy and his legacy as one of the world’s most admired investors.
Rail Users Demand LHB Coaches for Three Express Trains
Rail users in Tiruchi Railway Division are urging the replacement of old ICF coaches with modern LHB coaches in three high-occupancy trains: Karaikal-Ernakulam, Karaikal-Tambaram, and Thanjavur-Chennai Uzhavan Express. Associations highlight that LHB coaches, offering higher capacity and better safety, are essential to meet growing passenger demand.
Atal Setu Records Daily Traffic Below Projections in First Year
Atal Setu, India’s longest sea bridge, recorded an average daily traffic of 22,689 vehicles in its first year, significantly lower than the projected 57,525 vehicles per day.
The 22-km-long bridge, connecting Sewri in Mumbai to Chirle in Navi Mumbai, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 12, 2024. Constructed at a cost of Rs 17,840 crore, the Atal Setu stands as the country’s longest bridge and the longest sea-crossing infrastructure.
Despite the underwhelming traffic numbers, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has described the bridge as a “symbol of modern infrastructure, safety, and efficiency.” Efforts are underway to boost usage and optimize the bridge’s potential to ease traffic in the region.
Dense Fog, Poor Air Quality Disrupt Delhi’s Air and Rail Traffic
Delhi’s temperature on Monday was recorded at 9.6°C, 2.2°C above normal, with 99% humidity. Dense fog caused major disruptions at Indira Gandhi International Airport and delayed several trains.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) was 274, categorized as “poor,” affecting the health of sensitive groups. The IMD has issued a yellow warning for dense fog, adding to the city’s challenges.
Mumbai’s Traffic Worsens, Slips in Global Slow-Moving Traffic Rankings
In 2024, the average time to cover 10 km during peak hours in Mumbai rose to 29.26 minutes, up from 21.20 minutes in 2023. As a result, the city’s ranking in the global TomTom Traffic Index worsened from 52 to 39.
Nationally, Mumbai ranks sixth, trailing cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, where traffic congestion has worsened further. Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Pune also made it to the top 10 cities with the slowest-moving traffic globally.
The 14th edition of the TomTom Traffic Index analyzed traffic patterns in 500 cities across 62 countries. While Mumbai had shown slight improvement in 2023, it has nearly reverted to the same level of congestion in 2024.
